Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 131, Peter Dorland, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Dorland, Peter Margaret
W. 131
CONTENTS
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New Jersey
Peter Dorland
of Morris in the State of New Jersey who was a fifer in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col Taylor in the New Jersey line for 9 Mos & 16 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 34 Dollars 92 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1833 and sent to Phoebe Nicholas Flanders New Jersey
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $119.84 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 17.46
$137.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. C. Lagett Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 108

Reported
New Jersey 1281
Margaret Dorland
widow of Peter Dorland
who was a Fifer Colo Taylor N.J. in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 34 Dollars 95 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of August 1843. and sent to R. Nicholas.
Flanders, New Jersey
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. page 120.

State of New Jersey ss Declaration in order to Obtain the Benefit 60 acres of Morris ss of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before me William Morris one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Morris N.J. Peter Dorland a Soldier of the Revolution aged Seventy four years a Resident Citizen of the Township of Chester in the County of Morris N.J. who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to Obtain the Benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 to wit - that he was Born in Roxbury Township in the County of Hunterdon New Jersey December 27 th 1758 and is in his Seventy fifth year since December Last and that he entered the service of the united States in the War of the Revolution and served as herein set forth (to wit) that he was called out as a fifer from Roxbury aforesaid for the Period of one month By Draft from the New Jersey Militia about the first of June 1778 under Capt. John Read of the New Jersey Militia and near the close of his months Duty was engaged in the Battle of Monmouth in N.J. in which he took a part in Col. Taylors Regiment and was Honorably Discharged Verbally by Capt. Read at the Expiration of said Service, and further in the month of September 1779 he was again Drafted as a fifer from the Western Regiment of Morris County when he then Resided for a Term of one months duty under Command of Capt. Peter Salmon of the New Jersey Militia and was stationed at Patterson and Aqua Ranout in the County of Essex N.J. and performed said Term of one months duty in guarding Military stores keeping in Check the Tories and in Readiness to protect the adjacent Country from the Depredations of the Common Enemy and was Honorably Discharged Verbally by Captain Salmon at the Expiration of said months Term of Duty and further in the Month of June 1780 he was again Drafted from Roxbury from the Western Regiment of Morris County aforesaid as a fifer under the Command of Capt. Peter Salmon of the Militia for a Term of one months duty and while on said Term of Duty he was engaged in and took a part in the Battle of Springfield and Connecticut Farms with the Militia against the Common Enemy he does not distinctly Recollect the time of the Battle but thinks it was the Last of June or first of July in the year 1780 and was Honorably Discharged after a Months term of Duty Verbally by Captain Salmon, and afterwards about the first of June as near as he can Recollect he enlisted in the New Jersey State Troops in the year 1781 as a fifer for the Period of six months he was enlisted by Captain John Read and served his term of Duty under Captain Hooper of the New Jersey State Troops the Company to which he belonged was marched to Elizabeth town Head quarters and stationed there to Guard the Military post and Remained there while the Regular army under General Washington marched to York Town in Virginia to Besiege Lord Cornwallis, among

said Period of service he was attached to the Regiment, Col. Seely and was Honorably Discharged on the Sixteenth day of December following making Six Months and Sixteen Days service he was Discharged Verbally by Col. Seely and Returned home & saith he has no further Recollection of his Revolutionary service and further saith that he has no Documentary Evidence in his possession of his Revolutionary services, and that a family Record of his age was kept by his parents which is now in possession of his stepson Robert Dorland Residing in the Western part of the State of New York, and that he entered and served in the Revolutionary War as before stated and does not know of any person now living who has any knowledge of his Revolutionary services, that he has Resided in the Counties of Hunterdon and Morris in New Jersey most of the time since the Revolutionary War, that he now Resides in the Township of Chester Morris County N.J. as has for the Last five years, and within three miles for the Last twenty years, that he has a Distinct Recollection of Generals Wines and Heard & Colonels Taylor, Seely and Frelinghuysen of the Militia and is personally known to John Cook and James J. Miller two Respectable Citizens and neighbors of his where he Resides and has been for twenty five years past to whom he Refers for proof of his Character for truth and veracity, and further that he hereby Relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and Declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state whatever Sworn to and subscribed by the said Peter Dorland before me this 22 nd day January Eighteen Hundred & thirty three Wm Morris his Peter Dorland mark
New Jersey of I William Morris a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Peter Dorland the above named applicant for a Pension and have been for twenty years past and I am fully satisfied that the said Peter Dorland is of the age he Represents himself to be and that he was a Soldier of the Revolution and served as he has herein set forth and that the said Peter Dorland is unable from Bodily Infirmity and age to attend the County Court in this his matter of application for a pension to which I herunto subscribe my name Officially this 22 nd day of January Eighteen Hundred & thirty three. Wm Morris

New Jersey } Personally appeared before me William Morris one of Morris County } the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County John Cooper and James J. Mesler two Respectable Citizens of said County who being by me first duly sworn according to Law on their Oath saith that they are both personally acquainted with Peter Dorland who has subscribed and sworn to the fore- going application for a pension and have been for twenty years past & more that they are both Neighbors to the said Peter Dorland in the Town- ship of Chester in said County and have the utmost confidence in the Credibility of Character of the said Peter Dorland and of the truth and veracity of the statement by him set forth therein of his Revolutionary services and that from an acquaintance with him we believe him to be seventy four years of age as he has represented and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we both cordially concur in the same Opinion Sworn and subscribed before on this 22 nd day of January 1833 John Cooper James J. Mesler Wm Morris
Morris County New Jersey to wit I William Morris one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that after the investigation of the matter of the application herein had before me of Peter Dorland for a pension and after listening to him the interrogatories presented by the War Department I am fully satisfied that the said Peter Dorland was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he had set forth in the foregoing Declaration, and I further certify that the character of the said Peter Dorland for truth and veracity has never been doubted to my knowledge and is entitled to credit and that the two witnesses whose testimony precedes this certificate to wit John Cooper and James J. Mesler — are persons of good character for truth and veracity and neighbors of the said Peter Dorland and entitled to full credit whether in or out of Court and I further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before me in the matter of the application of the said Peter Dorland for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22 nd day of January Eighteen Hundred & thirty three Wm Morris

State of New Jersey Morris County ss.
I David Day Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that William Monroe before whom the within declaration and testimony has been taken was at the time of the doing thereof an acting Judge of the said Court for the County of Morris and that full faith and credit is due to his Official acts as such; and that the name W- Monroe thereto affixed to each is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Morris Town the fourteenth day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three David Day Clk
Application for Pension Peter Donland of Chester Morris County ss 23724

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 entitled an "act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" State of New Jersey County of Morris ss. Morris Common Pleas
Special Term Feb y 1839
On this Tenth Fourteenth day of February Eighteen Hun- dred and thirty nine - Personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County in open Court - Margaret Dorland (Surviving Widow of Peter Dorland Dec d ) a Resident of the Township of Chester in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey age of Seventy years the Eleventh day of April Eighteen Hundred and thirty eight last past - Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 7 th July 1838 entitled an "act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" That she is the widow of Peter Dorland (now deceased) who was a fifer or Musician in the Revolutionary war in the New Jersey Militia and State Troops (as she has so understood from her Dec d husband), and that at his Dec d he was a Revolu- tionary pensioner of the United States (under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 entitled "an act Sup- plementary to the act for the Relief of certain Surviv- ing officers and soldiers of the Revolution" for said service and that his warrant for said pension as well as the power of attorney executed by this Deponent for the balance of pay due to her on the said warrant at the time of the Dec d of the said Peter Dorland as his surviving Widow were deposited in the office of the Hunton Bank at the City of Trenton N.J. and the said balance of Pension was duly paid by the said Hun- ton Banking Company to my Lawfully constituted attorney John Titus Esq. for me and for my use which said balance of pension was duly Received by me

and the said Mary ant Dorland further declares that she was Lawfully Married to the said Peter Dorland on the Seventeenth day of October in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty four by the Rev d William Woodhall then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chester in the County of Morris N.J. and that her husband the aforesaid Peter Dorland died on Eleventh day of February Eighteen hundred and thirty three That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service - but that the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four Viz at the time above stated - She further declares that she has no family Record of her Marriage, none having been kept to her knowledge, that she has made diligent search and cannot find any such Record either in the Church, Parish, Town or County where she resides and was married But that Charity Maygar the wife of Conrad Maygar was present at her said Marriage and is the only person now living, to her knowledge who was then present to whom she refers to prove her said Marria- -ge as aforesaid and that she is now the Lawfull surviving widow of the said Peter Dorland her Deceased Husband
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year first above written before me
in Margaret X Dorland mark
John H. Court

State of New Jersey County of Morris ss
I David B. Hurd Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Morris do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Margaret Sorland made in said court for a pension, and that John Hunt Esq whose name is subscribed to the foregoing is one of the Judges of the said court duly commissioned and sworn, and that the same is his genuine signature, and that Peter Anthony Esq before whom the annexed affidavits were taken was at the doing and now is one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Morris duly commissioned and sworn as such Justice and that his name subscribed thereto is his genuine signature — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal at Morris Town in said County this fourteenth day of February Eighteen Hundred and thirty nine
D. B. Hurd Clerk

New Jersey Morris County ss I Peter Nicholas a Justice of the peace of the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that I have been personally well acquainted with Peter Dorland and Margaret his wife for the past thirty years, that they lived together as husband and wife since my first acquaintance with them until his death which took place on the Eleventh day of Febry 1833 to my certain knowledge - That during the life time of the said Peter Dorland he and his wife the said Margaret lived together as husband and wife as my near Neighbors for several years with a family of Children reported to be theirs - That the said Peter Dorland at the time of his decease was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of the Seventh of June 1832 for services in the New Jersey Militia and State troops in the Revolutionary war as true within my own knowledge, as I assisted him in his application for a pension - I am also satisfied that the said Margaret Dorland is the sur- viving widow of the said Peter Dorland and I assisted her in obtaining the Balance of Pay due to him on his pension warrant at the time of his death which was duly paid to her by the Trenton Bank through her agent John Peter Eddy, and that the said Margaret is now the widow of the said Peter Dor- land not having been married since the death of the said Peter Dorland - In witness where- of I have hereunto subscribed my name officially and affixed my seal of office at Roxbury in the County of Morris aforesaid this fourteenth day of Febry 1839
Witness my hand and seal
Peter Nicholas Jus' of the peace

New Jersey
Morris County
I solemnly appeared before me John Nicholas a Justice of the peace in and for Sussex County of Morris Charity began the wife of Conrad Spitzer of the County of Hunterdon New Jersey who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath saith that she is in her Seventy first year of her age since October last that she is well acquainted with Mrs Margaret Dorland the widow of Peter Dorland Dec d who was a pensioner of the United States, that this deponent knows that the said widow Margaret Dorland then Margaret Steele was married to the said Peter Dorland near Chester in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey by the Rev d William Woodhull then pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the said Township of Chester fifty four years ago Last October; this deponent well remem- bers the said marriage, as she was present as one of the Guests and acted as Bridesmaid on the occasion. that the said Margaret Dorland and this deponent were near of the same age and very intimate at the time - and this deponent further saith that she has no knowledge of any other person except herself and the said Margaret Dorland that are now living that were present at the marriage, that the said Peter Dorland died about fifteen years since, and the said Margaret Dorland is his Lawfull surviving widow and has not been married since the death of the said Peter Dorland to any other person but is now his widow, this deponent has no Record of the date of the marriage of the said Margaret Steele to said Peter Dorland, but has a distinct Recollection of the precise time of said since

the marriage from her knowledge of her own age at the time the marriage took place and is positive that fifty four years ago in October last past about the middle of the month is the time the said marriage took place and further saith not — —
in presence of H. Woodruff
Charity A. Ager mark
Sworn and subscribed before me by the said Charity Ager making her mark in my presence this sixth day of Feby 1839 — — —
John Nicholas Justice of the peace
I John Nicholas Esq. the Justice of the peace before whom the foregoing testimony of Charity Ager was taken do hereby certify that from my acquaintance with the said Charity Ager I am satisfied that the said Charity Ager is a person of truth and veracity and that her statements in the above offered and concerning the marriage of Peter Dorland to Margaret Heels now the widow of the said Peter Dorland is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Roxbury in the County of Morris N.J. this sixth day of February Eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
John Nicholas Justice of the peace

##### # # # Henry Dorland, Born the 6 th February 1786. George Dorland, D o the 29 th July 1787. Hannah Dorland, D o the 5 th October 1789. Ichabode Dorland, D o the 5 th May 1792. Sally Dorland, D o the 29 th August 1794. Betsy & Anna Dorland, (Twins) } 1799. Born the 18 th November William Dorland, Born the 2 nd May 1803. Katharine Dorland, D o 6 th November 1805. and departed this life the 15 th March 1808. Samuel Dorland, Born the 6 th January 1809. Eliza Jane Mc ee Kay Born the 8 th November 1817 *

A
Henry Dorland departed this life the 7 th day of May 1832,
Peter Dorland Died Feb y 11 th 1833

23724
Peter Dorland Morris County New Jersey
Adm 9. Months and 16 days as fifer -
Whece Nicholas Glanders New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A. Statement, shewing the Service of Peter Dorland Morris County, N. Jersey
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Drift- June 1778 1 Serf. Col. Taylor. 74 Newks- bury - Huntingdon Co. N. Jersey Traditionary   Sept. 1779 1 "   June 1780 1 "   enlist June 1781 5 16 " Gen. Washington Col. Serley   9 16  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this                      day of                      personally appeared ( a ) before A. B. a resident ( b ) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged ( c )                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year ( d )                      , with                      and served in the                      ( e ) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. □ This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim ( f ) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion ( g ) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify ( h ) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office ( i ) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note ( j ) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
( k ) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, ( l ) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
R. Newman Br.

Hanover N.J. Sept 9 th 1839
Sir By reason of Mrs Margaret Doreland I enclose such further testimony as she has been able to obtain concerning the Records that were supposed to be with the papers of the late Rev d Mr Woodhull of her marriage to Peter Doreland. I have become satisfied from a communication with Mr Woodhull the son of the Rev d Mr Woodhull as well as with the Rev d A. Williamson the pastor of the Church over which the late Rev d Mr Woodhull had the charge that there are no Records either in the Church or among the papers of Mr Woodhull Sec d of any marriage solemnized by him at that early period as they have both been frequently applied to for the same information several times by Doctor L. Condit and others, and have both uniformly testified that they have not found any - and as the Laws of N.J. did not require the Recording of marriages until the act of 5 th March 95 it is presumable that no Records were kept by any one who solemnized marriages before that period as a matter of duty - Mrs Doreland does not now know that she can offer any thing more to the Department except it be that she has lived with Mr Doreland as husband and wife from before the year 1790 and onward up to the day of his death which was in Feb y , 33 and that her three eldest children by him were born in 86, 87, and 89 and that by Common Report they were known only as husband and wife from the time of their first living together until Doreland's death.
I send to the Department a copy of the Journal of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey for the year 1775 as it contains much matter in relation to organizing and officering the militia Minutemen and State troops of New Jersey it may be of service to the Department for reference in determining Claims for pensions - I have another copy of the Journal for 76 if it would be of use to the Department they are welcome to it, Please inform me by mail
Very Respectfully &c
Thos Nicholson
Rev d James L. Edwards

Monday 11 th May 1839
free
W
May to Dolans
for
Rec d 7 Mar. No 4878
Genl. Edwards Esq.
Warren Department Washington City
D.C.

Flanagan May 3 rd 1889-
Sir
I have forwarded from the P.O at Flanagan Maine Co. N.H. during the past winter an application for a pension under the act of Congress of 7 th July 1838 as the surviving widow of Peter Dorland Dec d late a soldier of the Revolution and I have within a few days Recd a Circular from the Pension Department which I do not fully comprehend, Except that my papers are placed on file without examination as yet, because they were not accompanied by any letter showing by whom they were sent - for the information of the Department I would now state that those papers were sent from the P.O. at Flanagan N.H. by my friend Rhue Nicholson Esq. the P.M., by my request, and on my own account, and all communications or Returns on account of my said application that are necessary or may be hereafter made I so request may be directed to me personally at Flanagan P.O. N.H. and to no other person whatever
Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant
done in presence of Wm Norton Rhue Nicholson
her Margaret X Dorland mark
10876 sec - per P.O. Rec d 10876 24

Dec 15-96 To Jno Desmer H of R See 285-24
131 Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1. 131
Margaret Norland Widow Peter Norland Lifer. Riv. War.
Act: March 3, 1843.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N. York Jersey Margaret Dorlands lots to Claimant 19 July 1839 to R. Nicholas 1 Nov. 1839 Act July 1838
New Jersey Peter Dorland ad June 7. 1832 to what time paid? Died 11 th Feb 1833 to F. Hunt speed Feb 1833 JH

8 May 1843 995
Act 3 March 1843
M. J.
Mayt. Island
$34.95 per acre
R. Nicholas
J. Barker St. John's New Jersey St. John's Office St. John's New Jersey D. G.
May 8 th 1843
See

Dr Sir
Hanover P.O. Surrey 5 th May 1843-
I herewith enclose the declaration of Margaret Forland the widow of Peter Forland De d who was a soldier of the Revolution and also a pensioner. As the said Margaret was also a pensioner under the five years act which had expired on the 4 th March /41 You will perceive the present declaration is to renew her pension under the act of Congress of March 3 rd /43. Please direct any communications on the subject to my care Hanover P.O. Morris Co. N Jersey while I am Sir Yours
Very Respectfully &c Peter Nicholas
James L Edwards Esq- Commissioner of Pensions }

New Jersey 4932
Margaret Dorland, widow of Peter Dorland
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 11. Feb. 1833 of Morris Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Trifer in the company commanded by Captain Read of the regt. commanded by Col. Taylor in the N. Jersey militia line for 9 months & 16 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 34 Dollars 95 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23. day of January 1840 and sent to R. Nichols Flanders, N. J.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '39 122.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 Nov '40 17.47
$139.79
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk.
A. Vol. 2. Page 121

Dec 12
N.J.
add proof
May to Portland
John Nicholas P.M. Hanover N.J.
Mrs L. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Pensions Washington City D.C.

State of New Jersey
County of Morris ss. Personally appeared before me which establishes a history of the Pierce and for the County of Morris Hannah Emmons the wife of Abraham Emmons and Daughter of Peter Dorland Dee (a soldier of the Revolution), and Margaret her wife. and also Anna Dorland single woman and Daughter also of the said Peter Dorland and Margaret her wife who being first duly sworn by me according to Law on their oaths say. VIZ. The said Hannah Emmons saith that she resides in the town-ship of Chester in the County of Morris aforesaid, and is now fifty years of age the fifth day of October last, that she has resided all her life time with her parents and within three miles of them with the exception of eight years that she has a Brother George Dorland older than herself who resides in upper Canada who is more than two years older than herself - that she has also a Brother Henry Dorland who was yet older than George who died the Seventh day of May 1832 - she also has a Brother Deborah Dorland who was born the 5 th May 1792 - a Sister Sally who was born 29 th August 1794 and two Sisters Maria Betsy and Anna born 18 th Nov. 1799 a Brother William who was born 2 nd May 1803 a Sister Katherine born 5 th Nov 1805. and a Brother James born 5 th Jan'y 1809 and that her father & mother had a family Bible containing the ages of all her Brothers and Sisters and containing the year month and day of the month when each was born and that the paper herunto annexed is the Record of the family births and the only and original Record kept in the family Bible and the same ex- tracted from the family Bible with her own hands upon which the family Record was kept and to which she always had free and unrestricted access at all times and the said Anna Dorland on her oath saith that she is a single woman and has always lived with her parents and now lives with her Mother Margaret Dorland in the town-ship of Chester in the County of Morris State of New Jersey. that she is forty years of age the 18 th day of November last, that her father Peter Dorland now Deceased was a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, and that the paper herunto annexed purporting to be the family Record of her father's family is the true and genuine original Record of the ages of her Brothers and Sisters, and the leaf taken therefrom by her sister Hannah Emmons and that so far as her knowledge and recollection extends the ages of her Brothers & Sisters are set down correct and true, and that the said Record was made and written in her

father family Bible by a man whose name was Adrian Mallet a School Teacher and was none when the said Anna was a small child and was going to school to the said Adrian Mallet, and none at the request of her parents, and is the only Record she has any knowledge of as being a Record of the ages of her Brothers and Sisters left in her father's family and that she has been the bearer of the said Record in her father's family so long as he lived & since his death continues to the present day and further the said Hannah Emmons and Anna Dorland said etc
Hannah Emmons
Sworn and subscribed before me when the said Anna Dorland made her mark in my presence this 27 th day of Novr, 1839
Anna T Dorland mark
Abner Nichols Attest of the foregoing
New Jersey Morris County ss. I Abner Nichols a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Hannah Emmons and Anna Dorland above named and who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit before me, and that they are both persons of good and upright character and standing in society and also persons of truth and veracity and entitled to credit - and I also certify that the paper herewith annexed and purporting to be the family Record of Peter Dorland Dec d (who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States), was torn out of the family Bible in the possession of Margaret Dorland the Widow of the said Peter Dorland Dec d in my presence by the said Hannah Emmons as stated in her Deposition above, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this Twenty eighth day of November Eighteen Hundred and thirty nine
Abner Nichols Justice of peace

State of New Jersey County of Morris ss
I, Daniel B. Hance, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Morris aforesaid do hereby Certify that Where Nicholas Dese, before whom the within Testimony was taken was at the time thereof and now is one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Morris and State of New Jersey duly Commissioned & sworn and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such Justice
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office at Morristown in said County this Ninth day of December Eighteen Hundred thirty nine
D. B. Hance Clerk

Or Sir
Stanley Newbury
Dec. 4 th 1839
I enclose to the Department some additional testimony for Margaret Doelance in furtherance of her claim for a pension. I have procured the leaf from the family bible containing the birth and ages of all her family together with the testimony of two of her daughters as to its correctness and of its being the only Record and the true Record of the family Births and ages of the whole family. Mrs Doelance informs me that Doct Joseph Hedges attended her when her first five children were born but he has been dead many years. I called on his son Doct Wm W. Hedges who was his executor to find some account on his Books of his attendance as her accoucheur - he informed me that his father having had been so long settled up that he did not consider his Books of any consequence and had therefore used them for waste paper. She also informed me that her first child was baptized by the Rev d William Woodhull who married her but who has been long dead. I then called on the present pastor the Reverend Abraham Williamson who informed me that he has not seen any church Records of Baptisms Deaths, or Marriages, kept by the Rev d William Woodhull during his Ministrations as the pastor of his church. His testimony on this matter is now in possession of the Department, I therefore cannot offer any more testimony in her behalf that I know of, if this is not sufficient - Will the Department decide Mrs Doelance's Claim as speedily as possible and inform me of the result as she is very poor and dependent on charity and her own feeble exertions to support herself and a daughter out of health & unable to render her but little assistance.
Very Respectfully
Abner Nichols
J. S. Edwards Esq.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1838. — — — — —
State of New Jersey
County of Morris ss on this Twenty Sixth day
of April A.D. Eighteen Hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Morris Margaret Dorland a resident of the Township of Chester in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey aged Seventy Six years — who being by me first duly sworn according to Law on her oath doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war
That she is the widow of Peter Dorland who was a fifer (or Musician) in the New Jersey Militia and State Troops in the war of the Revolution in the Company of Captains John Read and Peter Salmon and in the Regiments of Col s Taylor and Seely, and that she received under the act of Congress of July 7 th 1838 as the widow of the said Peter Dorland an annual pension of Thirty four Dollars and ninety five cents and she further declares that she is still a widow
Sworn to and subscribed before me by the said Margaret Dorland making her mark in my presence the day and year just above written
William Nichols Margaret his Dorland mark
William Nichols Justice of the Peace Done also in the presence of John Nicholas as a witness thereto

I William Nichols a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Morris and state of New Jersey do hereby certify that Margaret Dorland the Declarant named in the within declaration and affidavit made before me is personally known to me as the widow of Peter Dorland a soldier of the Revolution, and also as having been a pensioner under the act of Congress of 7 th July 1838 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26 th day of April A.D. 1843 William Nichols
State of New Jersey
County of Morris } I David B. Hurd Clerk of the court of Common
Plens in and for the county of Morris do hereby certify that William Nichols Esq before whom the within Declaration and affidavit of Margaret Dorland was taken was at the time thereof and still is one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county of Morris duly commissioned and sworn as such Justice and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such Justice and that the name of William Nichols subscribed thereto and to the above certificate is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and the seal of said court at Morris Town in said county of Morris this third day of May -- A.D. Eighteen Hundred and forty three
David B Hurd Clerk

State of New Jersey } County of Morris } Personally appeared before me Rhene Stukelas a Justice of the peace in and for said county William Woodhull of Chester in the said county aged Seventy two years who on oath saith that he is the son of the Rev d William Woodhull formerly Pastor of the Tridylman Church of Chester in said county (but who is now deceased) that he is one of the Executors of his father the late Rev d William Woodhull dec d and has had access to and the examination of his father's papers and records which were in his possession at his decease at Chester and that he has not found any paper purporting to be a Record of Marriages Solemnized by him while he was the pastor of our said Church and firmly believes there was none that he distinctly recollects his father going to marry Peter Dorland to Margaret Auble and his saying on his return home that he had married them and also saith that at the time of the said marriage his father was the Pastor of the said Church in Chester aforesaid - this deponent was personally acquainted with the said Peter Dorland at the time of his marriage to the said Margaret Auble which is more than fifty years since, and was well acquainted with him and his wife, as they attended the same Church here which his father had been Pastor for many years, and that the said Peter Dorland and Margaret his wife from the time the Rev d William Woodhull said he married them - lived together as husband and wife until the death of the said Peter Dorland and raised a large family of children this deponent cannot give the precise date of the marriage of the said Peter Dorland and Margaret Auble but is of opinion it was before the year Seventeen hundred and ninety and further saith that the said Margaret is now the widow of the said Peter Dorland and has not to his knowledge or belief been married to any other person since the death of the said Peter Dorland Sworn and subscribed to before me this 29 th day of August 1839 Rhene Stukelas J.P.

State of New Jersey } Personally appeared before me County of Morris } John Nicholas a Justice of the peace in and for said County the Rev d Abraham Williamson of the Township of Chester in the said County of Morris aforesaid who on oath saith that he is now the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chester of which it is commonly said that the Rev d W m Woodhull now De d was once the Pastor. That all the records of the said Church of which he has ever heard are now in his hands - that in those records there are no accounts of any marriages celebrated by him and he truly believes that no such record is in existence in the hands of any member of the Session of said Church or any of its members and further saith that he read the last will & testament of the Rev d William Woodhull de d and that his son William Woodhull whose affidavit is her- unto annexed was one of the Executor names in his father's will aforesaid and has repeatedly heard him say that he found no records of marriages among his father's papers and that the said William Woodhull is a member in good standing in the Church of which he is pastor and a member of the Session of the said Church and a person of truth & veracity. Sworn and subscribed before me this 29 th day of August 1839 - John Nicholas J.P.
State of New Jersey Morris County to wit. I John Nicholas a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Morris as

affidavit do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with William Woodhall and the Rev d Abraham Williamson whose affidavits were taken before me and hereto annexed that they are persons of credibility for truth and veracity members in good standing in the Church & in Society and entitled to credit whether on oath or otherwise In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30 th day of August Eighteen Hundred and thirty nine
When Nicholas Just. of Peace
State of New Jersey County of Morris ss I, Daniel B. Hurd Clerk of the court of common pleas of the county of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that When Nicholas Eddy before whom the testimony of William Woodhall and the Rev d Abraham Williamson hereto annexed was taken was at the time thereof one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county of Morris duly commissioned and sworn as such Justice and legally authorized to administer oaths and take testimony, and that the signature When Nicholas J.P. thereunto annexed is his genuine signature — In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at Morris Town in said County this Seventh day of Sept r 1839
D B Hurd Clerk